Mora: Former principal steals $37,000 from school, investigators say

A former Mora High School principal and community education director who allegedly stole baseball registration fees and donations for six years is facing felony theft and tax charges.

Mark Wayne Antonson, 57, of Mora was recently charged with three counts of felony theft and a felony count of filing a false tax return, according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Antonson was the principal and community education director when he allegedly stole $37,000 in public funds between 2005 and 2011, the department said.

Antonson never reported the money as income in his tax returns -- stolen money is considered income, regardless of how it is acquired, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Those who suspect a business or individual is violating tax laws are asked to call the Minnesota Department of Revenue's 24-hour tip line at 651-297-5195 or email the department at tax.fraud@state.mn.us.